Thin film coating
Once Thin Film Optical Coating is applied, blank glass elements can be transformed into essential parts of lasers and optical devices. From protective windows, mirrors, wavelength separators to non-polarizing or polarizing beamsplitters - plates and cubes.
Overview of thin film optical coating technologies
Electron beam evaporation
During Electron beam evaporation (EBE, e-beam) thin film layers are formed by evaporating target material using focused (concentrated) electron beam.
Ion Assisted Deposition
By introducing inert gas ions to bombard optical coating surface we get process called Ion Assisted Deposition (IAD). During this process it is possible to increase coating density (less porous, lower water absorption) and achieve better optical properties (layers have higher refractive index in comparison to EBE).
Magnetron Sputtering
Magnetron Sputtering (MS) method is employs electric and magnetic fields to form plasma near target material, ions are accelerated towards the target and particles are knocked off the surface and land on substrate surface forming optical coating.
Ion Beam Sputtering
Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS) coating is a coating process where target is bombarded with high energy particles (ions or neutral atoms) and when these atoms have higher kinetic energy than target surface atoms bond energy these target atoms are knocked out and when they reach substrate surface optical coating is formed.
Although all technologies might look similar and different at the same time, and even more - they actually can be interchangeable when manufacturing most of standard Alien Photonics products. However, there are products where specific technology is not just preferred, but necessary to achieve state-of-the art optical component parameters.
Furthermore, maximal parameters (e.g. (anti-)reflection values, Laser Induced Damage Threshold), absorption and other characteristics depends on coating technology. It is worth to mention price difference of these technologies also exist. We hope our coating comparison table (bellow) will help you choose coating technology, if not - do not hesitate to contact us for free consultation!
Comparison of thin film coating technologies
| EBE (e-beam) Electron Beam Evaporation | IAD Ion Assited Deposition | MS Magnetron Sputtering | IBS Ion Beam Sputtering | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price High head count - low price | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Overall performance Evaluation based on expert opinions. Includes spectral performance, durability, and real-life experience | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Wavelength range Wavelength range according ISO 20473:2007(E) and to graph bellow | VUV-MIR | MUV-MIR | MUV-MIR | DUV-MIR |
| Spectral precision | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Durability | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| High Density | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Low Stress | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Coating temperature | <300° | <200° | <100° | <100° |
Alien photonics suggestion for choosing coating technology, based on working wavelength
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